In a closely watched local vote, residents of Weinfelden, Switzerland, have narrowly rejected plans to create a separate Muslim burial ground—despite the proposal being strongly backed by the town’s political establishment.
The result was razor-thin: 2,078 residents (51%) voted against the measure, while 1,947 (49%) supported it. Voter turnout was an unusually high 54 percent, reflecting the public’s strong interest in the issue.
The plan would have changed local cemetery regulations to designate a 70-grave plot aligned toward Mecca. While the town’s parliament passed the proposal by 24 votes to 4, the public proved far more sceptical—forcing a referendum after opponents quickly gathered 400 signatures.
Lukas Madörin, a member of the conservative EDU party and a leading voice in the “No” campaign, welcomed the result: “I’m relieved and glad that Weinfelden made this decision.” He stressed that the goal was to avoid embedding religion in law. “This was also an opportunity for constructive dialogue—we got to know the Muslim community better,” he said, while warning against premature celebration. “The margin was too close for that.”
For many voters, the referendum became a symbol of whether Europe’s public spaces should continue adapting to religious demands—or uphold a single legal and cultural standard for all.
